LamplighterYOUR MONTHLY

Salem Lutheran Church in Delmont Pennsylvania | Est. 1850 | salemdelmont.org

All the news you need! | January 2018

we are...

Gathered Nourished

Sent

Pastor’s ColumnLamplighter | January 2018

Inside2 Pastor’s Page3 Community News4 Worship/Education5Serve/Steward6 & 7Sunday school Christmas Program

8In Our Prayers & Celebrations9Life Line Screening10Beyond our Walls11Council Notes &Correspondence

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Dolly, Uncle Jimmie

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

January first is a festival day called Name of Jesus. By Jewish law, every baby boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day of life, so on the eighth day of Christmas (January 1) the church celebrates this event in Jesus' life. The keeping of the covenant as well as Jesus' name are signs of God's salvation given to us through him.Yet, for the most part, most people, even church people, celebrate January 1 as New Year’s Day. It is for many people, a day approached with expectation and hope for a better year, a brand new start, a new chapter in life! Many of us wonder what 2018 will have in store for us, our families, our friends, our church, the nation, and the world.

While I have no idea what may be in store for you personally, I do know that in our church life together there are many new things happening. In the spirit of Jesus’ name day, I have affectionately named 2018 as “The Year God Makes All Things New!” To start with, if you haven’t been on the church property lately, you may have missed our brand new patio in the corner of the church and parish house. It’s really taking great shape and looking beautiful! I hope this new outdoor space will give our community new opportunities for fellowship, including picnics and bonfires! Also I hope we can use this space to occasionally move worship outdoors when the weather is nice. If you’re looking for a nice outdoor space for a family or friend gathering, I hope you will keep the new patio in mind!

Also new this year, Salem will offer Saturday evening worship starting January 6. While it will follow a similar worship pattern to Sunday, it is intended to be more casual with more of a “Come as you are” atmosphere. Every week we will begin with music at

5:45pm. This may include singing hymns or hearing instrumental or vocal offerings by folks in our community. Worship starts at 6. Our church leadership advocated to add this new service time in the hope of drawing new people as well as giving Salem people another time to come and worship God! When Sunday becomes a challenge due to life circumstances or busy schedules, I hope you will keep Saturday evening in mind as an alternative!

What other newness does 2018 have in store for us? Right now, our website is under construction, and hopefully, by the end of January, we will have an attractive, user friendly new website with lots of helpful information and a brand new church logo designed by one of our members! Also, we now have the capability of online, electronic giving through Vanco payment solutions. Details about how to use electronic giving will be posted in the Lamplighter as well as Sunday bulletins. If you have questions, I would be happy to help and give you a live demonstration, as I’ve already set up a personal account and plan to do all my giving electronically. New way of giving. New website. New logo. New worship service. New patio. Many new things are happening in our faith community in 2018!

As we face new beginnings at Salem, I hope God will create newness in your personal life where you long for it! Revelation tells us, “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” I hope God plants anew the life and love of Jesus, the Savior of the world in your heart as well as in our community’s heart! I hope the life and love of Jesus, whose name we bear by v i r t u e o f b a p t i s m , w i l l b i r t h n e w opportunities, new dreams, new hope for you in 2018!

A Blessed and Happy New Year! Pastor Kara

Fellowship Hour Immediately following worship Sunday January 7.

Women’s Circle Meeting. We will resume meetings in the Spring. We are continuing our service project “Little Dresses for Africa” during the winter. Please feel free to continue sewing!! If you would like to donate material, your time or would like more information please contact Betty Anderson at 724-468-4719 or Mae Jobe at 724-834-6399.

Men’s Breakfast & Work Day Thursday January 4, 8:30 am at Wagon Wheel.

Pairs & Spares Wednesday January 10, 12 pm at Hoss’s in Murrysville.

Lamplighter | January 2018

We Are Gathered

God gathers us into the joy of community!

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Fellowship HourSpend time immediately following worship, the first Sunday of each month, to catch up with other members of the congregation. Donut & Coffee Hour is now Fellowship Hour.Evangelism & Stewardship will continue to provide the coffee and drinks. The congregation is invited to bring something to share. It can be home made, sweet, savory, healthy, store bought, etc. Thank you for your participation in this ministry!!

Winter Movie Nights

Come and enjoy the fun of a family friendly movie and snacks in the Sunday school gathering room in Newhouse hall Friday January 19 at 7 pm.Please bring your favorite snack to share!If you are unable to attend, make sure to mark your calendar for 2 other movie nights: Friday February 16 and Friday March 16 at 7 pm.

Suggestions Wanted

Do you have ideas for projects, programs, or outings that you would like to see Salem Lutheran take part in in 2018?

We would like your suggestions!! Please submit your ideas to the office by emailing office@salemdelmont.org or call at 724-468-4189.

We look forward to hearing your ideas to help make 2018 a year of new beginnings.

God feeds us through worship & learning!

Lamplighter | January 2018

WorshipWeekly Saturday Worship 6 pm

Weekly Sunday Worship 9:30 amWorship at Wm Penn 2 pm First Sunday of every month

educationWeekly Sunday School immediately following worship at 11 am.Tea ’n’ Talk Every Monday 9 am at Nima Heagy’s home a weekly Bible study. Everyone is welcome!Adult Bible Study Held every Tuesday except the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm.

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We Are NourishedConfirmation

We are studying the New Testament. If you would like to enroll your child please contact Pastor Kara.

The schedule:January 7, 2018 January 21February 4 February 18March 4 March 18

Come As You Are! Saturday Evening Worship

Begins Jan. 6th, 2018Music @ 5:45 PM Worship @ 6:00 PM~

Join our Diverse Community gathered by the love of Christ!There is a place for you here!

Baptism of Our Lord

The Assistant to the Bishop, Peter Asplin will join us Sunday January 7 for worship.

Please come to welcome and meet our new liaison to the synod office!!

Chancel Choir Wednesdays @ 6 pm

Kyrie Bells Wednesdays @ 7:15 pm

Salem Serves every Tuesday 5 pm (except the first Tuesday)

Property Saturday, January 6, 8 am

Christian Ed Sunday, January 7,immediately following Sunday SchoolWomen of ELCA Board As needed

Social Ministry Tuesday, January 9, 7 pm

Worship & Music Thursday, January 4, 7:30 pm

We Are Sent

God anoints us to serve & steward!

Lamplighter | January 2018

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Total miles traveled on our way to Wittenberg is 6378 !! We made it to Wittenberg, now we are on

our way back to Pittsburgh!Keep up the good work!!

“Little Dresses for Africa”

WELCA is in the midst of a service project. The dresses are made from cotton blend fabric. Samples of the dresses are in the social hall.If you would like to help, donate material, or would like more information please contact Betty Anderson at 724-468-4719 or Mae Jobe at 724-834-6399.

A Very Special Thank You!

Sometimes it is hard to believe that the small things in life make a big difference. But they do!!The Youth & Family Committee headed out on a cold Saturday before Christmas to sing carols to our shut ins. They went with intentions of sharing some holiday cheer. They did that and a lot more. Many thank you’s have been sent to all who shared their time and talent.Bill & Carol Hartman thank everyone who came to sing!! Betty Visnick said, “It was a pleasure for all who came to hear you. I’m so proud of my church family. Thank you everyone for caring. Love you all.” Mary Lou Lingafelt said, “Wanted to thank you for coming to our place on Saturday December 9. It was very nice of everyone to take time out of their day. Most of the people enjoyed “12 days of Christmas” where the kids sang each day. Thanks again.”Remember the small things affect people in ways you may never know!!

Lamplighter | January 2018

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On Sunday December 17, the Sunday school students presented “The Second Greatest Gift.” The real story of the Little Drummer Boy in which a poor boy who has

nothing but a drum gives the only gift that makes the baby Jesus smile. Thank you to the children, teachers, and all who participated in making this “the best program ever!”, said by a member of Salem. After the program we all enjoyed a pizza

party.

Lamplighter | January 2018

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Continued Care for our Shut-ins:

Mildred Allwine Weatherwood Manor896 Weatherwood Lane Apt 305Greensburg, PA 15601

Carol Anderson Wm Penn Sr.Ctr. & Personal Care2020 Ader RoadJeannette, PA 15644

Walter Bush 447 Manor RoadDelmont, PA 15626

Kathy DelBaggio 31 Buena Vista DriveDelmont, PA 15626

Susan Franke Wm Penn Sr.Ctr & Personal Care1024 Walton RoadJeannette, PA 15644

Hoppy Jobe 1542 Beaver Run RoadGreensburg, PA 15601

Bill Hartman 91 DevonshireDelmont, PA 15626

Mary Lou Lingafelt Golden Heights Personal Care3522 Harrison City/Trafford RoadIrwin , PA 15642724-744-2431

Doris Piper Weatherwood Manor896 Weatherwood ManorGreensburg, PA 15601

Jane Piper 251 Aurora StreetDelmont, PA 15626

Earl Rupert 2032 Plainfield Drive SWVero Beach, FL 32968

Richard Sarver 1305 Beaver Run RoadGreensburg, PA 15601

Betty Visnick 164 S. Greengate RoadApt. 112Greensburg, PA 153601

Healing & Recovery:Mimi JobeTim BackstromNancy HunterSimon EarnestMary LinardiTina MickeyDeb AdamsKatie BrinkerBobby WhaleyDonna GallRaymond Zeek

Tom BrinkerEd B.Mary DibertLinda CollinsMason ShearerRoberta SchlotterBeth SmithDave CondonMary Jean FisherRandy BarkerMary Jane Nicely

Andy BrownKitty SimmonsEvelyn PainterDon HeagyNancy DiMaggio

Military or Foreign Service:Tim & Candice Cipullo, Kevin & NinaChris & Michael Broker

We PrayLamplighter | January 2018

Happy Birthday

1 Franklin Piper 1 Hannah Rosensteel 3 Heidi Neumann 4 Valerie Arrigo 4 Carol Duff 5 Tracy Baker 5 Kayla Zimmerman 6 Debbie Durstine

6 Kelly Otto 9 Bill Hartman 9 John Golock 11 Brian Arrigo 12 Kareen Neumann 13 Aria Tomcyk 13 Ava Paulich 14 Darlene A. Bush 14 Jim Lore 15 Hunter Reinhardt 17 Scott Logan 19 Kaylee Fong 20 Mary Logan

23 AnnaBelle Anderson 23 Janine (Feather) Howcroft 24 Scott Deutsch 24 Marc Gray 24 Shirley Kline 25 Kristen Gray 26 Abigail Kowalski 26 Stephen Yusko 28 Chris Visnick 31 Marion Earnest

Happy Anniversary1 Jerry & Helen Colclaser

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We Celebrate

Please keep these people in your prayers and send them a card to let them know their church family is thinking of them.

Lord, I cry to you for help; you, Lord, are my protector; you are all I

want in this life.Psalm 142:5

Lamplighter | January 2018

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Lamplighter | January 2018

Beyond Our Walls

Thank you Salem People:Amber Britz thanks Salem, “I just want to extend my thanks for sending me a finals package. My roommates and I will find it all very helpful throughout the next week haha! Thank you once more.”

Thank you from Mary Lou Lingafelt to everyone for the lovely time at Christmas in Salem Crossroad, “really enjoyed myself.” She also tells everyone “Hello.”

Stewardship

Electronic Giving is a convenient, consistent way to help our church year round.Consider scheduling a recurring electronic contribution today. It’s easy! You will no longer need to write out checks and prepare envelopes every week. Even when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, your electronic contributions will continue to be received on an uninterrupted basis.

The ways to access online giving: go to bit.ly/DonateToSalem,

download the Give+ app

or, scan the QR code

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Council NotesElectronic giving is now available and information will be provided to Salem’s members very soon. There is an app called Give+ which will interface with our computerized donation recording system (Shepard’s Staff). This will make it possible to give offering once or weekly for those members that find it more convenient. The offering would be recorded in the office and show on your yearly statement as it does now. This would be in addition to, and not in place of our current offering envelopes.There is a lot of good work being done on the Salem website. It’s not quite ready for primetime, but should be soon. Scott Deutsch has created a logo for Salem that will be used on the website and on letterhead etc. The council

was very impressed with his work as it is simple but yet very descriptive of Salem’s identity. The council discussed the need to review and revise the rental agreement for Salem’s properties.

Paving of the parking lot will need to be postponed until spring due to the wet weather that we have had.Just a reminder that a second weekly service, on Saturday evening, will start on January 7th. Music will start at 5:45 in the church nave, with the service following at 6PM. This will be a simple service, with no acolyte or assisting minister to start. There will be communion by intinction (bread that you dip in the wine). Council members are to remind their committees to forward their minutes to Brenda at office@salemdelmont.org.

Lamplighter | January 2018

If you know someone who would like to receive a copy of the Lamplighter please call the office.

Deadline for February

Lamplighter is Monday

January 22.

Non Profit Organization US Postage

PAID Delmont, PA

Salem Lutheran Church301 E Pittsburgh StreetDelmont, PA 15626www.salemdelmont.org724-468-4189office@salemdelmont.org

Save the DateJanuary 6, 2018 Saturday Evening Worship 6 pm

January 19, 2018 Winter Movie Night 7 pm

February 9, 2018 Festival of Love Dinner 6 pm

February 13, 2018 Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner 5 - 7pm

February 14, 2018 Ash Wednesday

February 16, 2018 Winter Movie Night 7 pm

February - March Mid Week Lenten Soup Dinner 6 pm and Worship at 7 pm

March 16, 2018 Winter Movie Night 7 pm

March 25, 2018 Palm Sunday

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday

April 7, 2018 Bloomin’ Crazy Luncheon TBA

Whatcha readin’?Our library, in the social hall of the church, has

been re-organized. Please stop and check it out. Please feel free to borrow any selection that you

would like. There is no need to sign out the books. When you are finished please return to the same

shelf.To help keep our new library organized,

if you have a book to donate please turn them into the church office. Pastor Kara will decide whether

we can add them to our library.

Feature of the Month:“Reviving Old Scratch, Demons and the Devil for Doubters and the Disenchanted” by Richard Beck

“Stranger God, Meeting Jesus in Disguise” by Richard Beck